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Judging at K9 PRO SPORTS
A K9PS judge is responsible for giving a K9PS competitor a written record or "picture" of their training program as it stands on the
day of the trial. That picture is drawn from each individual judges experience. Guidelines set forth by K9PS will help each judge
work through the score sheet in a manner that will give our competitors the best picture.
OBEDIENCE: Heeling, the dogs position in relation to his handler shall be assessed by the 3rd step taken by the handler. This
position, dogs shoulder at handlers knee, dogs nose at handlers knee etc., should be maintained through out the heeling pattern.
The dog should resume this position when called to back to heel while in motion. Second "heel" commands may be given ONLY
when changing speed or pace. Any other second commands whether voice or body signals will cause point deductions. A dog at
heel should present a picture of attentiveness to the handler while maintaining an awareness of their surroundings.
Position Changes, dog should be attentive to a position change command from a distance. This exercise should be completed with
one command, either vocal or hand signal for each change.
Obstacles. The dog should be judged on ability to clear the obstacle in the most efficient manner, in following the command as well
as in the ability to not be slowed down or obstructed by the obstacle. The dog is given 3 tries too clear the obstacle, if the dog
doesn’t clear the obstacle after that, the dog will then receive zero points for the obstacle, NOT the hole exercise!!
Distractions should be judged by degrees, from totally disregarding the distraction. Perfect, to tempted to move and investigate
50%, to, "go for it" a zero.
The distraction and obstacle guidelines would also apply in the protection exercises. It is always allowed to use the dogs’ name
before giving a command in obedience. Giving a second "heel" command when changing speeds ex; normal to fast and back to
normal is also allowed.
PROTECTION: The goal of the protection exercises is to give a picture of the dogs’ ability to protect his owner. Every exercise
should be judged, as if the owner were in fear of his life, from an attack by an assailant. As in real life there are no penalties for
encouraging a dog to fight harder during the exercise. The exception would be if, in the eyes of a judge, the dog needed the
encouragement to find the courage to stay in the fight. If the judge feels that the dog is addicted to the encouragement from the
handler, the judge may tell the handler too be silent, if the handler keeps encouraging the dog, the dog will loose points. Handlers
trying to get "more" fight from the dog with encouragement, should not lose points.
The goal of all protection exercises is to save the handler from harm. If the dog does not accomplish this by stopping the attacker,
the handler would be harmed, and the real life consequence could be the death of the handler. If you are dead you don’t care if
you got any points! You will then receive zero points for a dog that fails to accomplish the most basic goals of the protection
exercises. The dog is given 3 tries to engage the attacker, if the dog still haven’t engage the attacker by then, the exercise will be
judged as a zero. The engagements by the dog, will be scored as that may discourage most humans from continuing an attack. As
a minimum the dog must bite the attacker, so the attacker isn’t able to shake it off, whit ease, if the dog keeps falling off the bite,
maximum 3 times, then the exercise will be judged as a zero.
The mission of a Personal Protection dog is to "deter" or "defend" the handler in case of an attack. All exercises will be done on
leash. The "courage test" is off leash because this is the only way to test the dogs determination to win a fight.
Engagements are judged by the dogs ability to control the attacker . This is listed as "bite" on the score sheet but should reflect
the dogs total ability to hold and control the attacker. A full mouth bite with intensity is the most desired, but other factors are, the
dogs use of its’ body to control the attacker. This can mean pulling them to the ground, charging into them hard enough to disable
them or any other means by which the dog takes complete control of the decoys movements.
When the judge gives the dog handler a signal to make the out, the dog handler must give the "out" command, if the dog handler
gives more then one command, it will cost points, the maximum of commands is 3 tries, if the dog still isn’t outing, then the exercise
will be judge as a zero.
CIVIL AGITATION; The dog should, alert and become aggressive on command, without the presence of any training equipment to
stimulate the dog. This exercise is designed to see if the dog will alert, on command, without equipment to stimulate the dog. After
the alert we are looking to see if the dog can present an aggressive appearance that would discourage a potential attacker from
attempting to even start an assault. The "distraction" should test the dogs focus and determination. A tennis ball is the most
common object used but food or any other object that can be encountered in everyday life is acceptable. The spirit of Civil
Agitation is the dogs immediate response to the alert command, and the dogs’ ability to present a picture of intimidation to the
average person. This is further demonstrated by the dogs’ complete focus on the decoy despite any distraction.
Attack on Handler. Team will be judged while heeling down the field. The decoy will come from behind the team and attack the
handler. The dog will be judged on how quickly it gets between the handler and the danger, and its’ ability to engage and control
the threatening decoy The dog will release when commanded and will be judged on the control immediately after the bite. The
spirit of the Attack on Handler is the dogs’ ability to stop and then control the average threatening person. Next is the dogs’
willingness to respond efficiently to all commands of the handler.
Courage Test. The dog will be sent a distance, determined by the size of the field, to a threatening decoy. The decoy may use
noisy objects, thrown in the dogs path, or obstacles that must be overcome, any thing that presents a challenge to the dog without
the support of the handler. The dogs energy and intensity will be judged on the "send" as well as the "bite" and "out". Handler
Position is judged by where the handler is standing when outing and recalling the dog. The handler that stays in the original spot
when the dog returns, will receive all 15 points. Moving closer to the decoy, to gain control of the dog, exposes a civilian to a
greater risk, the handler will then lose points from the "handler position" section, half way up the field, half the points, etc. The
Spirit of the Courage test is the eager, committed dog overcoming all obstacles to stop and then control the threatening person.
Teamwork and control are demonstrated by the handler being able to remain in the start position, affording maximum safety, and
still maintaining control of the dog with the recall.
Professional Protection Dog is one that is qualified to work as a police or military patrol dog. This dogs’ mission is to reduce risk to
the handler by "apprehending" and "containing" a suspected felon. For this reason a PrPD will do all exercises at the handlers
direction, but at a distance from the handler. To exhibit the dogs willingness to work with the handler, all dogs in this division will
work without any collar or restraining devices.
Double Call Off. The dog is sent to a threatening decoy downfield. A second hidden decoy will then attack the handler after the
dog has engaged the first decoy. As soon as the second decoy makes physical contact with the handler he may call his dog back
to protect him. The dog will be judged on its efficiency in following commands as well as the ability to engage and control both
decoys. Spirit of the exercise; The dogs ability to control and intimidate the decoys while remaining attentive to the handlers
commands throughout this exercise
Surprise Exercise. This is a scenario that could occur in real life and will test the handlers ability to make decisions as well as the
dogs working ability. The exercise will be described to the teams when it is time for this exercise to begin. There is a guard in this
exercise. A guard is defined as the dogs intimidating attention on the decoy after being told to release the bite. There is no
required position for the dog to go to, they may sit, stand or down, as long as they are attentive enough to stop the chance of
escape by the decoy. Focus, attention, and intimidation, will be the judgment criteria in the guard.
Call Off. The dog must go at least one third the distance of the field before the handler can call off the dog. The call off line may
not exceed one half the distance of the field.
Any words form the handler before the dog reaches the minimum call off line are considered a command and will result in a zero
for that exercise. Call off commands given as the dog gets closer to the fleeing decoy will result in higher points. Spirit of the
exercise; The dogs total commitment to engaging the decoy is seen and the dogs drives are at a peak in the send. The handlers’
ability to overcome these natural drives with an obedience command demonstrates the spirit of this exercise.
Obstacle Course/ Courage test. Is designed to test the dogs athletic ability as well as its determination to apprehend; Spirit of the
exercise; The Spirit of the Courage test is the eager, committed dog overcoming all obstacles to stop and then control the
threatening person. The dog should then exhibit a guard that demonstrates control of the decoy as the handler approaches and
takes control of the decoy.
The dog is given 3 tries too clear the obstacle, if the dog doesn’t clear the obstacle after that, the dog will then receive zero points
for the obstacle, NOT the hole exercise!!
These are guidelines to familiarize you with the K9 PRO SPORTS format. These guidelines are to be used with your experience in
working and training dogs. With these guidelines, and your knowledge, we can present our members an accurate picture of their
dogs ability and the effectiveness of their training program.
The Sprit of the exercise!
The "spirit" of the exercise is a term used to describe "why" the contestant is competing, not the "purpose" of the exercise.
Although both are restaurants you would not go to a Chinese restaurant and order a pizza, and you would not expect a dog
trained for agility to stop an attacker.
The agility dog may jump over the attacker but would probably not really engage or take control. The spirit of a protection exercise
is the dogs’ ability to take control of a situation and control the decoy. Failure to control an attacker in real life could result in your
injury or worse in real life and therefore, on the trial field, that results in a failure to protect or a zero on a score sheet.
The "spirit" rule also applies to the control exercises. In a Call Off the purpose is to exhibit control at the most difficult of times. The
purpose of a Call Off is to stop the dog from biting. The "spirit" of the Call Off goes beyond that and defines the essence of the
exercise. In the "spirit" the dog is going to the attack with commitment to the engagement. The dogs determination to stop the
decoy is evident to all, the dogs’ willingness to overcome its’ desire to engage and return at the handlers command is the "spirit" of
the exercise.
A dog may be trained to do an excellent "send out" running 20 meters downfield with tail high and turning sharply to return to the
handler. This could look good on the field, and resembles a Call Off, but it is not the "spirit" of a Call Off to show your dog will do a
"send out". What appears to be a mechanically correct exercise would then fail on the field, just as it would fail you in real life if an
innocent person accidentally stepped between your dog and a fleeing purse snatcher.
If you want to walk your dog to a park but the only time the dog has done any heeling is when you are in the obedience ring the
dog may have trouble when asked to heel with no pattern to follow. Though you scored the highest in the ring for your Obedience
title, in the real life application required by K9PS you have failed the spirit of the obedience, because your dog is relying on a
pattern and not working as part of a team with you.
Hopefully you can see why using the "spirit" as a judging factor allows K9PS judges to more accurately assess a dog teams
practical ability to be safe in real life. It can also alert the team to the problem of applying show ring type pattern training to the
streets or to a K9PS trial. Hopefully this judging factor will some day save some ones family or life.
It will certainly assure K9PS members that their score sheets are a clear, accurate, picture of their dogs ability to function properly
in all places and circumstances.
The Courage Test
"My dog kicked butt on his COURAGE TEST! A dog can’t make it in xxx sport if he can’t pass a COURAGE test! That dog can’t
take the HEAT of MY courage test!"
Seems, for a lot of people that are new, or learning, about protection/patrol dogs, the "Courage test" is the ultimate test of a good
dog. But as the criteria for a "courage test" has been taken from breed certification standards, and sports trials, a test for "courage
" in a PP/Patrol dog, may? be greatly misunderstood.
First let’s make sure we are talking about the same thing when we say courage. I am using the "Dictionary of the English
Language" from American Heritage.
"Courage; The state or quality of mind or spirit that enables one to face danger with self-possession, confidence, and resolution."
First a "courage test" or "CT" must give the dog a chance to assess a threat or get the perception of danger. This is done with all
standard CTs’ by placing the decoy or threat at a distance from the dog allowing the dog the chance to see a problem and react
with "self possession."
The decoy will then charge the dog to increase the impression of danger and the dog has a chance to exhibit "confidence". The
judge has now seen "self–possession" & "confidence" in the standard CTs’
Next comes "engagement" or what most people perceive as the courage part, because it usually has the stick hits or some other
type of force applied at this time. This is where the difference comes in for a PP/Patrol dog and a breed cert CT as in SchH or IPO.
A SchH judge is looking for a characteristic in the bite that is full and hard. This is best demonstrated to the judge if the dog is calm
and less active, makes it easier to see. This phase may be more accurately called "commitment". For most breed cert. courage
tests
this is where the judging will end. For PP or patrol dogs we are only half way there.
Remember the third factor in our definition of courage? "Resolution", resolution differs from "commitment".
Commitment is "to be bound emotionally or intellectually to a course of action".
A dog, in a SchH. CT, shows he is "bound to the action" of gripping the sleeve by taking a stick hit, he/she is committed!
Resolution "A steadfastness of purpose, a positive expression of will directed toward achievement of personal ends".
In our case, kicking serious butt. A PP/patrol dog exhibits a total picture of "courage" by resolutely taking out the decoy after the
dog has "committed" to the bite. The dogs ability to achieve this "personal end" will be judged by its’ own unique fighting style and
physical means to dominate and control the decoy. So in our PP/Patrol dog the CT continues through the fight that occurs after
the engagement. The use of stick hits are not as important in the PP dog because if the dogs fighting style is aggressive and
effective in controlling the decoy, the opportunity for really hard hits on the dog will be greatly limited.
Stick hits will show the dogs "commitment", actually the hits will increase the intensity of many dogs on the bite so this is not the
most effective way to show the dogs "Courage" though it does show the commitment. So rather than taking a hit, we would like to
see the dog deliver such an aggressive fight to the decoy that a hit is not possible.
This type of action from the dog will demonstrate the "positive expression of will, directed toward achievement of personal ends"
that is true courage.
On the trial field or on patrol a K9 handler and dog make a team with the handler the thinking part of the team and the dog the
axe. Without the thinking half of the team the axe may never strike at the proper time. The dog on the trial field has no idea what,
the goal of the exercises are. That is for the thinking half of the team.
A team on patrol or on the street has the same structure. It is the responsibility of the human (thinking half), to asses possible
dangers that the dog may be unaware of, not understanding the "goal" of the patrol any more than the exercises on the trial field.
A courage test should reflect the dogs proficiency in following these commands instantly, and with "resolution". When the handler
says now! The axe strikes!
With that in mind, the first 5 meters from the handler are a good indication of the dogs "courage" and the teams efficiency. A
strong showing at this point can build momentum that builds and carries the dog with added force to the decoy or the criminal.
This initial momentum will cause the "axe" to strike "through" the target instead of merely "at" the target. This brings up the other
part of a courage test for a PP/Patrol dog.
The "strike", after the first 5 meters the last 5 meters are as important. As the dog reaches the target at this distance, and working
solo, this is the time when any lack of self confidence of mind or spirit can show up. The first 5 meters will show the dogs self
confidence of "mind", the last 5, show the "spirit".
As dogs can be programmed, by most trainers, to overcome obstacles of every description, a patterned courage test, especially
for the last 5 meters, may hide factors of the dogs "spirit" that can cause mission failure in real life. That last 5 meters could be
fatal, do you trust it to a trained response? Or to the true, "spirit" and "resolution", of your partner?
In order to avoid good training techniques, hiding basic quality defects, in the dog, a variety of different courage tests are
recommended. This may allow single or multiple decoys, a decoy that charges then retreats, and reverses and charges again,
many combinations are possible. The dog may have to overcome natural obstacles, wide holes in the ground, a pile of chairs or
obstacles, a swimming pool. Anything, that allows the dog, to exhibit its’ "resolution, to achieve a personal end". That is not relying
on training techniques but on the dogs true courage.
So how do you build confidence to produce true courage?
What is the difference between environmental "pattern" training and resolution?
Can true courage be exhibited by all dogs?
Can true courage be grown and improved?
Listen Well, Bite Hard
Butch Cappel
K9 PRO SPORTS
The Original
A K9PS judge is responsible for giving a K9PS competitor a written record or "picture" of their training program as it stands on the
day of the trial. That picture is drawn from each individual judges experience. Guidelines set forth by K9PS will help each judge
work through the score sheet in a manner that will give our competitors the best picture.
OBEDIENCE: Heeling, the dogs position in relation to his handler shall be assessed by the 3rd step taken by the handler. This
position, dogs shoulder at handlers knee, dogs nose at handlers knee etc., should be maintained through out the heeling pattern.
The dog should resume this position when called to back to heel while in motion. Second "heel" commands may be given ONLY
when changing speed or pace. Any other second commands whether voice or body signals will cause point deductions. A dog at
heel should present a picture of attentiveness to the handler while maintaining an awareness of their surroundings.
Position Changes, dog should be attentive to a position change command from a distance. This exercise should be completed with
one command, either vocal or hand signal for each change.
Obstacles. The dog should be judged on ability to clear the obstacle in the most efficient manner, in following the command as well
as in the ability to not be slowed down or obstructed by the obstacle. The dog is given 3 tries too clear the obstacle, if the dog
doesn’t clear the obstacle after that, the dog will then receive zero points for the obstacle, NOT the hole exercise!!
Distractions should be judged by degrees, from totally disregarding the distraction. Perfect, to tempted to move and investigate
50%, to, "go for it" a zero.
The distraction and obstacle guidelines would also apply in the protection exercises. It is always allowed to use the dogs’ name
before giving a command in obedience. Giving a second "heel" command when changing speeds ex; normal to fast and back to
normal is also allowed.
PROTECTION: The goal of the protection exercises is to give a picture of the dogs’ ability to protect his owner. Every exercise
should be judged, as if the owner were in fear of his life, from an attack by an assailant. As in real life there are no penalties for
encouraging a dog to fight harder during the exercise. The exception would be if, in the eyes of a judge, the dog needed the
encouragement to find the courage to stay in the fight. If the judge feels that the dog is addicted to the encouragement from the
handler, the judge may tell the handler too be silent, if the handler keeps encouraging the dog, the dog will loose points. Handlers
trying to get "more" fight from the dog with encouragement, should not lose points.
The goal of all protection exercises is to save the handler from harm. If the dog does not accomplish this by stopping the attacker,
the handler would be harmed, and the real life consequence could be the death of the handler. If you are dead you don’t care if
you got any points! You will then receive zero points for a dog that fails to accomplish the most basic goals of the protection
exercises. The dog is given 3 tries to engage the attacker, if the dog still haven’t engage the attacker by then, the exercise will be
judged as a zero. The engagements by the dog, will be scored as that may discourage most humans from continuing an attack. As
a minimum the dog must bite the attacker, so the attacker isn’t able to shake it off, whit ease, if the dog keeps falling off the bite,
maximum 3 times, then the exercise will be judged as a zero.
The mission of a Personal Protection dog is to "deter" or "defend" the handler in case of an attack. All exercises will be done on
leash. The "courage test" is off leash because this is the only way to test the dogs determination to win a fight.
Engagements are judged by the dogs ability to control the attacker . This is listed as "bite" on the score sheet but should reflect
the dogs total ability to hold and control the attacker. A full mouth bite with intensity is the most desired, but other factors are, the
dogs use of its’ body to control the attacker. This can mean pulling them to the ground, charging into them hard enough to disable
them or any other means by which the dog takes complete control of the decoys movements.
When the judge gives the dog handler a signal to make the out, the dog handler must give the "out" command, if the dog handler
gives more then one command, it will cost points, the maximum of commands is 3 tries, if the dog still isn’t outing, then the exercise
will be judge as a zero.
CIVIL AGITATION; The dog should, alert and become aggressive on command, without the presence of any training equipment to
stimulate the dog. This exercise is designed to see if the dog will alert, on command, without equipment to stimulate the dog. After
the alert we are looking to see if the dog can present an aggressive appearance that would discourage a potential attacker from
attempting to even start an assault. The "distraction" should test the dogs focus and determination. A tennis ball is the most
common object used but food or any other object that can be encountered in everyday life is acceptable. The spirit of Civil
Agitation is the dogs immediate response to the alert command, and the dogs’ ability to present a picture of intimidation to the
average person. This is further demonstrated by the dogs’ complete focus on the decoy despite any distraction.
Attack on Handler. Team will be judged while heeling down the field. The decoy will come from behind the team and attack the
handler. The dog will be judged on how quickly it gets between the handler and the danger, and its’ ability to engage and control
the threatening decoy The dog will release when commanded and will be judged on the control immediately after the bite. The
spirit of the Attack on Handler is the dogs’ ability to stop and then control the average threatening person. Next is the dogs’
willingness to respond efficiently to all commands of the handler.
Courage Test. The dog will be sent a distance, determined by the size of the field, to a threatening decoy. The decoy may use
noisy objects, thrown in the dogs path, or obstacles that must be overcome, any thing that presents a challenge to the dog without
the support of the handler. The dogs energy and intensity will be judged on the "send" as well as the "bite" and "out". Handler
Position is judged by where the handler is standing when outing and recalling the dog. The handler that stays in the original spot
when the dog returns, will receive all 15 points. Moving closer to the decoy, to gain control of the dog, exposes a civilian to a
greater risk, the handler will then lose points from the "handler position" section, half way up the field, half the points, etc. The
Spirit of the Courage test is the eager, committed dog overcoming all obstacles to stop and then control the threatening person.
Teamwork and control are demonstrated by the handler being able to remain in the start position, affording maximum safety, and
still maintaining control of the dog with the recall.
Professional Protection Dog is one that is qualified to work as a police or military patrol dog. This dogs’ mission is to reduce risk to
the handler by "apprehending" and "containing" a suspected felon. For this reason a PrPD will do all exercises at the handlers
direction, but at a distance from the handler. To exhibit the dogs willingness to work with the handler, all dogs in this division will
work without any collar or restraining devices.
Double Call Off. The dog is sent to a threatening decoy downfield. A second hidden decoy will then attack the handler after the
dog has engaged the first decoy. As soon as the second decoy makes physical contact with the handler he may call his dog back
to protect him. The dog will be judged on its efficiency in following commands as well as the ability to engage and control both
decoys. Spirit of the exercise; The dogs ability to control and intimidate the decoys while remaining attentive to the handlers
commands throughout this exercise
Surprise Exercise. This is a scenario that could occur in real life and will test the handlers ability to make decisions as well as the
dogs working ability. The exercise will be described to the teams when it is time for this exercise to begin. There is a guard in this
exercise. A guard is defined as the dogs intimidating attention on the decoy after being told to release the bite. There is no
required position for the dog to go to, they may sit, stand or down, as long as they are attentive enough to stop the chance of
escape by the decoy. Focus, attention, and intimidation, will be the judgment criteria in the guard.
Call Off. The dog must go at least one third the distance of the field before the handler can call off the dog. The call off line may
not exceed one half the distance of the field.
Any words form the handler before the dog reaches the minimum call off line are considered a command and will result in a zero
for that exercise. Call off commands given as the dog gets closer to the fleeing decoy will result in higher points. Spirit of the
exercise; The dogs total commitment to engaging the decoy is seen and the dogs drives are at a peak in the send. The handlers’
ability to overcome these natural drives with an obedience command demonstrates the spirit of this exercise.
Obstacle Course/ Courage test. Is designed to test the dogs athletic ability as well as its determination to apprehend; Spirit of the
exercise; The Spirit of the Courage test is the eager, committed dog overcoming all obstacles to stop and then control the
threatening person. The dog should then exhibit a guard that demonstrates control of the decoy as the handler approaches and
takes control of the decoy.
The dog is given 3 tries too clear the obstacle, if the dog doesn’t clear the obstacle after that, the dog will then receive zero points
for the obstacle, NOT the hole exercise!!
These are guidelines to familiarize you with the K9 PRO SPORTS format. These guidelines are to be used with your experience in
working and training dogs. With these guidelines, and your knowledge, we can present our members an accurate picture of their
dogs ability and the effectiveness of their training program.
The Sprit of the exercise!
The "spirit" of the exercise is a term used to describe "why" the contestant is competing, not the "purpose" of the exercise.
Although both are restaurants you would not go to a Chinese restaurant and order a pizza, and you would not expect a dog
trained for agility to stop an attacker.
The agility dog may jump over the attacker but would probably not really engage or take control. The spirit of a protection exercise
is the dogs’ ability to take control of a situation and control the decoy. Failure to control an attacker in real life could result in your
injury or worse in real life and therefore, on the trial field, that results in a failure to protect or a zero on a score sheet.
The "spirit" rule also applies to the control exercises. In a Call Off the purpose is to exhibit control at the most difficult of times. The
purpose of a Call Off is to stop the dog from biting. The "spirit" of the Call Off goes beyond that and defines the essence of the
exercise. In the "spirit" the dog is going to the attack with commitment to the engagement. The dogs determination to stop the
decoy is evident to all, the dogs’ willingness to overcome its’ desire to engage and return at the handlers command is the "spirit" of
the exercise.
A dog may be trained to do an excellent "send out" running 20 meters downfield with tail high and turning sharply to return to the
handler. This could look good on the field, and resembles a Call Off, but it is not the "spirit" of a Call Off to show your dog will do a
"send out". What appears to be a mechanically correct exercise would then fail on the field, just as it would fail you in real life if an
innocent person accidentally stepped between your dog and a fleeing purse snatcher.
If you want to walk your dog to a park but the only time the dog has done any heeling is when you are in the obedience ring the
dog may have trouble when asked to heel with no pattern to follow. Though you scored the highest in the ring for your Obedience
title, in the real life application required by K9PS you have failed the spirit of the obedience, because your dog is relying on a
pattern and not working as part of a team with you.
Hopefully you can see why using the "spirit" as a judging factor allows K9PS judges to more accurately assess a dog teams
practical ability to be safe in real life. It can also alert the team to the problem of applying show ring type pattern training to the
streets or to a K9PS trial. Hopefully this judging factor will some day save some ones family or life.
It will certainly assure K9PS members that their score sheets are a clear, accurate, picture of their dogs ability to function properly
in all places and circumstances.
The Courage Test
"My dog kicked butt on his COURAGE TEST! A dog can’t make it in xxx sport if he can’t pass a COURAGE test! That dog can’t
take the HEAT of MY courage test!"
Seems, for a lot of people that are new, or learning, about protection/patrol dogs, the "Courage test" is the ultimate test of a good
dog. But as the criteria for a "courage test" has been taken from breed certification standards, and sports trials, a test for "courage
" in a PP/Patrol dog, may? be greatly misunderstood.
First let’s make sure we are talking about the same thing when we say courage. I am using the "Dictionary of the English
Language" from American Heritage.
"Courage; The state or quality of mind or spirit that enables one to face danger with self-possession, confidence, and resolution."
First a "courage test" or "CT" must give the dog a chance to assess a threat or get the perception of danger. This is done with all
standard CTs’ by placing the decoy or threat at a distance from the dog allowing the dog the chance to see a problem and react
with "self possession."
The decoy will then charge the dog to increase the impression of danger and the dog has a chance to exhibit "confidence". The
judge has now seen "self–possession" & "confidence" in the standard CTs’
Next comes "engagement" or what most people perceive as the courage part, because it usually has the stick hits or some other
type of force applied at this time. This is where the difference comes in for a PP/Patrol dog and a breed cert CT as in SchH or IPO.
A SchH judge is looking for a characteristic in the bite that is full and hard. This is best demonstrated to the judge if the dog is calm
and less active, makes it easier to see. This phase may be more accurately called "commitment". For most breed cert. courage
tests
this is where the judging will end. For PP or patrol dogs we are only half way there.
Remember the third factor in our definition of courage? "Resolution", resolution differs from "commitment".
Commitment is "to be bound emotionally or intellectually to a course of action".
A dog, in a SchH. CT, shows he is "bound to the action" of gripping the sleeve by taking a stick hit, he/she is committed!
Resolution "A steadfastness of purpose, a positive expression of will directed toward achievement of personal ends".
In our case, kicking serious butt. A PP/patrol dog exhibits a total picture of "courage" by resolutely taking out the decoy after the
dog has "committed" to the bite. The dogs ability to achieve this "personal end" will be judged by its’ own unique fighting style and
physical means to dominate and control the decoy. So in our PP/Patrol dog the CT continues through the fight that occurs after
the engagement. The use of stick hits are not as important in the PP dog because if the dogs fighting style is aggressive and
effective in controlling the decoy, the opportunity for really hard hits on the dog will be greatly limited.
Stick hits will show the dogs "commitment", actually the hits will increase the intensity of many dogs on the bite so this is not the
most effective way to show the dogs "Courage" though it does show the commitment. So rather than taking a hit, we would like to
see the dog deliver such an aggressive fight to the decoy that a hit is not possible.
This type of action from the dog will demonstrate the "positive expression of will, directed toward achievement of personal ends"
that is true courage.
On the trial field or on patrol a K9 handler and dog make a team with the handler the thinking part of the team and the dog the
axe. Without the thinking half of the team the axe may never strike at the proper time. The dog on the trial field has no idea what,
the goal of the exercises are. That is for the thinking half of the team.
A team on patrol or on the street has the same structure. It is the responsibility of the human (thinking half), to asses possible
dangers that the dog may be unaware of, not understanding the "goal" of the patrol any more than the exercises on the trial field.
A courage test should reflect the dogs proficiency in following these commands instantly, and with "resolution". When the handler
says now! The axe strikes!
With that in mind, the first 5 meters from the handler are a good indication of the dogs "courage" and the teams efficiency. A
strong showing at this point can build momentum that builds and carries the dog with added force to the decoy or the criminal.
This initial momentum will cause the "axe" to strike "through" the target instead of merely "at" the target. This brings up the other
part of a courage test for a PP/Patrol dog.
The "strike", after the first 5 meters the last 5 meters are as important. As the dog reaches the target at this distance, and working
solo, this is the time when any lack of self confidence of mind or spirit can show up. The first 5 meters will show the dogs self
confidence of "mind", the last 5, show the "spirit".
As dogs can be programmed, by most trainers, to overcome obstacles of every description, a patterned courage test, especially
for the last 5 meters, may hide factors of the dogs "spirit" that can cause mission failure in real life. That last 5 meters could be
fatal, do you trust it to a trained response? Or to the true, "spirit" and "resolution", of your partner?
In order to avoid good training techniques, hiding basic quality defects, in the dog, a variety of different courage tests are
recommended. This may allow single or multiple decoys, a decoy that charges then retreats, and reverses and charges again,
many combinations are possible. The dog may have to overcome natural obstacles, wide holes in the ground, a pile of chairs or
obstacles, a swimming pool. Anything, that allows the dog, to exhibit its’ "resolution, to achieve a personal end". That is not relying
on training techniques but on the dogs true courage.
So how do you build confidence to produce true courage?
What is the difference between environmental "pattern" training and resolution?
Can true courage be exhibited by all dogs?
Can true courage be grown and improved?
Listen Well, Bite Hard
Butch Cappel
K9 PRO SPORTS
The Original